Minutes fo January 13th, 2010

Meeting was held at Ron and Sheila’s house.

Members attending: Bob Vosburgh, Derek Takerer, Fireweed, Mike Nestor,

Sheila Nopper, Veronica Timmons,

Ron Sakolsky and Charlie Johnston (Co-facilitators),

deNeen Baldwin (notetaker)

Agenda:

1) Cooperative Management:

Field Issues: Potato Seed Order, Field Management 2010

2) Committee Reports

Communications, Budget, Financial

3) Basis of Unity

4) Next Meeting

What to include:

- Basis of Unity and Consensus;

- information and discussion about growing potatoes without the

use of animals or animal byproducts in the field, as well as the

issue of fossil fuels

Field Issues:

Potato Seed Order-

The amount of seed potatoes required depends on how much area of the field we intend to cultivate this year. Based on selling whatever we don’t use, Veronica ordered

150 pounds; in order to keep our books straight, it was proposed that the SPUDS cheque to Across the Creek Organics pay only for the potato co-op’s needs, rather than mixing in other purchasers. Both Fireweed and Veronica have been researching the type of seed potatoes available and Seglinde seems the only organic ones we can get at a reasonable cost which are not scab prone. So the group decided 150 pounds is the appropriate SPUDS order.

Field Management 2010-

Charlie, Derek and Mike met to discuss strategy on field use and Mike reported on their

findings. It was suggested that we adopt a 4 year Crop Rotation Plan by dividing the field into four quarters. The upper right quadrant, No. 1 (closest to the barn) would be planted in 2010, the upper left quadrant, No. 2 (closest to the driveway) would be planted in 2011. The lower right quadrant, No. 3 would be planted in 2012, and the lower left, No. 3 (closest to the gate) would be planted in 2013.

Each section is roughly 30 feet by 85 feet. It was determined that one section could offer the same amount of planting as we had last year by tightening up the rows.

The right side of the field is usually very wet in the spring. Discussion ensued on

the idea of creating a ditch to divert water and what that would entail. Using the upper

right quarter would work providing the wet is not overwhelming. The group agreed we would use a 4 year crop rotation plan.

Three proposals were put forward for the 2010 growing season

(the maps made available to the membership on the email attachments do not translate to the blog)

The group thanked the committee for its work on the field plans.

Committee Reports:

Budget:

Mike listed the items for budget considerations which will determine what is possible this year:

1. Cover crop

2. Seed potatoes

3. Hay bales for mulching

4. Water – free fills?

5. Rototilling costs

6. Valve for cistern

7. Option B will cost more in cover crops and digging or rototilling

8. Winter Peas and innoculant

9. Irrigation piping status

It was agreed we needed a working group to research costs and bring the information back to the group. Bob Vosburgh volunteered for this task, with Charlie checking on #6.

Finances

Applications for the Grant In Aid program from the Regional District need to be in

in late February. Veronica will ask Herb to see if he will do it.

Communications:

Fireweed reported that deNeen, Sheila and Rae met informally to discuss the flow of information for the co-op, and the following was shared:

Notes of thanks for various contributions over the last year have been sent by Rae and Fireweed. Appreciations were noted.

deNeen proposed that Note taking for the meetings circulate to others in the group with an appointed backup from the communications committee to help and ensure it gets completed within a week to ten days. The group agreed.

Sheila will put together a binder of all SPUDS documents to be kept in the library as the free post is being overloaded. Veronica to pass on previous hard copies for this record.

Fireweed will provide additional info and photos also permanently archived on the blogspot.

deNeen and Rae will call existing members who have not paid their 2010 membership fees to determine if they would like to continue to be part of the co-op and also if they want to receive emailed information.

Basis of Unity:

It was proposed that at this meeting the group would tweak the draft statements, post the results through the blog and at the free post, and if there was no dissent, the Basis of Unity would be adopted at the next meeting. Charlie clarified that in the Consensus

method of decision making, when important decisions such as this are adopted at a meeting, it is adopted in principle but finally (formally?) adopted at the next meeting.

The group has adopted, in principle, the Basis of Unity. See the accompanying insert at the bottom of this post.

Next Meeting:

The Basis of Unity, including using the Consensus decision making process will be brought forward for ratification by the membership. For a refresher on consensus, visit the following- also accessible here on the SPUDS blogspot in the Links column (short excerpt in italics below)

What is consensus? http://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/free/consens

Consensus is a decision-making process that works creatively to include all persons making the decision. Instead of simply voting for an item, and having the majority of the group getting their way, the group is committed to finding solutions that everyone can live with. This ensures that everyone's opinions, ideas and reservations are taken into account. But consensus is more than just a compromise. It is a process that can result in surprising and creative solutions - often better than the original suggestions.

Proponents of non-fossil fuel use and animal free agriculture are asked to make a 10 to 15 minute presentation to inform members about their concerns. No decision on these matters will be made at this meeting.

The next meeting is proposed for Sunday, February 7th at 1 p.m. in the Back Hall. This may be subject to change, with January 24th as a back-up date. Co-facilitators are not yet in place.